Filling out Dusty Baker's lineup card

Earlier this month, during what turned out to be a headline-making media session at the Winter Meetings, new Nationals manager Dusty Baker was asked who he plans to bat at the top of his batting order when the season opens in just over three months.

"I'm not sure, man," Baker shot back. "You're asking me ... until I see them or until I work with them - I mean, leadoff candidates? You don't know if Trea Turner is ready. I've asked questions. Mike Taylor, you don't know. You don't know if we might even acquire somebody.

"I mean, leadoff man is probably one of the toughest guys to find in the batting order. There aren't many Lou Brocks and Davey Lopes, and the all-time man. Shoot, I wouldn't mind bringing Rickey (Henderson) back, you know what I mean? A leadoff man is hard to find."

Baker seems able to always make a crowd of reporters chuckle. But he was right, the Nationals have made significant moves in the three weeks since he spoke. Yunel Escobar, who batted leadoff in 24 games during his hot-hitting 2015 season, was shipped off to the Angels in exchange for right-handed reliever Trevor Gott. And then Thursday night, the Nationals reached a reported three-year, $37.5 million deal with free agent second baseman Daniel Murphy.

Murphy isn't a leadoff hitter, though his low strikeout numbers and high career average (.288), have slotted him in the top half of the batting order - mostly second - during his previous seven years with the Mets.

So with less than 60 days left until pitchers and catchers report, let's take a stab at how Baker plans to line up his assault on National League pitching.

Option Teddy

3B Anthony Rendon
2B Daniel Murphy
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Jayson Werth
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa
CF Michael A. Taylor

Option Abe

LF Jayson Werth
3B Anthony Rendon
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa

Option George

CF Michael A. Taylor
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Jayson Werth
RF Bryce Harper
1B Ryan Zimmerman
2B Daniel Murphy
C Wilson Ramos
SS Danny Espinosa

Obviously, the key is setting the table for Harper so the reigning MVP isn't stuck as a one-man wrecking crew from 2015. Health for the guys surrounding him is paramount, but so is identifying the best on-base men available. Taylor isn't likely to lead off with his high propensity for strikeouts and a low OBP (.282) from his rookie season. But Taylor was the Nationals' opening day leadoff hitter last season.

With Rendon's pop, the Nationals would prefer him batting second or third, but with the current limitations, he might find himself as the best option to be the catalyst. He has held the top spot in the order 36 times in his career.

Werth found new life in the leadoff spot when former manager Matt Williams slotted the veteran there midway through August last season. But his ability producing runs finds him better suited around Harper in the lineup.

Who knows? Maybe Denard Span finds his way back to D.C. when his free agency is sorted out over the next month. Or maybe Turner forces the Nationals hand into a role as the opening day shortstop. Both possibilities would obviously change the complexities of these projected lineups.